SGVA Vetting Statement

Please see under forms and documents for update from County FA's on CRB's and working with children

This statement has also been sent to all CWO and Club Secretaries.

The FA’s Official Holding Statement

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) (SVGA), was drafted

following the death of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman and aims to prevent

unsuitable people from working with children and vulnerable adults. This Act

will have an impact on football for Under 18s and The FA has worked hard to

ensure the voice of football has been heard and understood by Government.

There is an increasing level of awareness about this Act and the Independent

Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) created

by it. There is also natural anxiety.

The FA takes its responsibilities as a National Governing Body seriously and

will provide Counties, Leagues and Clubs with a systematic approach to the

requirements of the Act. Government guidance for sport is expected in July

2009 and The FA will provide guidance notes, FAQs and training after this

date.

The FA is aware that people are anxious about the cost of the new scheme.

The Government will not be charging volunteers to join the new scheme. As at

present, The FA will need to levy an administration charge (currently £12 for

the CRB). The FA will aim to keep this charge as low as possible.

The FA is aware there is a lot of information in the public domain which

is being misinterpreted at times. Therefore, follow the guidance in this

statement please rather using information from other sources.

You will not fall foul of the Act by doing so and waiting for further FA

information.

Season 2009 – 2010

Most of the Act does not affect children’s football until July 2010, so for the

season 2009 / 2010 football must:

•

Continue with the current CRB process;

•

Ensure new starters working with U18s are CRB checked

immediately;

•

Ensure everyone helping in U18 football who does not yet have a CRB

check has a check as soon as possible;

•

Follow FA guidance on reporting concerns. The FA will then report

relevant and significant concerns to the new Independent Safeguarding

Authority.

Leagues and Clubs will receive more information from The FA, telling them

what they need to do for the season 2010 / 2011, later this year.

In addition, grassroots football clubs, with youth sections, must:

•

Ensure they have a Club Welfare Officer in place who has an FA CRB

check and has completed Safeguarding Children and Welfare Officer

training;

•

Ensure Club Welfare Officers are familiar with The FA’s Online

Safeguarding Children Service - this is The FA’s tool for ensuring Club

Welfare Officers can see who has been CRB checked. The system also

allows Club Welfare Officers to see who has completed their

Safeguarding Children training. Go to

www.TheFA.com/footballsafe

for

access to the Online Safeguarding Children Service. If you need help

with accessing this site contact your County Welfare Officer who will be

pleased to help.

Contacts for further information

If you are unsure who needs a CRB check please contact your local County

Welfare Officer, Premier League CSO or Football League CPO or ring The FA

CRB unit on 0845 210 8080.

Last Updated July 2009